A database for therapy evaluation in neurological disorders: application in epilepsy

Due to the high diversity of cases and the variety of treatment modalities, the information to be managed and processed in therapy evaluation is excessive in many neurological diseases. Additionally, in order to gain more insight into, not only the disorders, but also the applied therapies, more objectivity is requested in clinical practice. Therefore, in this study, a database system is designed for assisting therapy evaluation in neurological diseases. A sample implementation is accomplished for structuring and managing the information accessible for different treatment modalities available for epilepsy. The first application of the developed database system for clinical use in epilepsy is tested with selected quantitative parameters extracted from electrophysiological signals of epilepsy patients who receive neurotherapy as a complementary treatment to the pharmacological therapy, as well as of voluntary control subjects. The system contributes to the automation of statistical analysis for therapy planning, monitoring, and evaluation. It is extendible for other disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, and sleep disorders.     

Synthesis of Nanopowders in the ZrO2–HfO2–Y2O3 System

Powders with a crystallite size of 3–5 nm are prepared using back coprecipitation. The effect of the precipitation temperature on the size of crystallites and agglomerates is investigated. It is established that, for the chosen compositions, only the cubic phase is formed at a temperature above 550°C.     

Computer-based gas accounting system at the TETs-26 Mosenergo cogeneration station

Experience gained from the introduction and operation of microprocessor systems for metering gas consumption and its heating value at Mosenergo’s cogeneration stations is considered.     

Time modulation of the input signal during recording of holograms on hydrogenated amorphous silicon-liquid crystal structures

It is shown that the resolution and diffraction efficiency of p-i-na-Si:H-liquid crystal structures can be improved without causing any deterioration in the other parameters, by introducing amplitude modulation of the recording light beam synchronous with the supply voltage. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 23, 20–25 (April 26, 1997)     

Cytomegalovirus infection in women of reproductive age with an at-risk obstetrical history

Studies aimed at the detection of cytomegalovirus infection (CMVI) in women of reproductive age with obstetric complications in their medical history were carried out. 230 women aged 17-44 years were examined with the use of virological and serological tests. As the result of complex examination, CMVI markers were detected in 159 (69%) of women. Three forms of CMVI were detected in the examined women: latent (30%), reactivated (14%) and persistent (25%). This investigation revealed that the most complete detection of CMVI and the evaluation of its activity in women with obstetric complications in their medical history requires the combined use of virological and serological tests.     

Rigidity of human alpha-fetoprotein tertiary structure is under ligand control

Comparative study of the natural ligand effect on structural properties and conformational stability of human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and its homologue, human serum albumin (HSA), was performed using several approaches, including circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, and scanning microcalorimetry. Here we show that denaturation of AFP, induced by the increase of temperature or urea concentration, is irreversible. We have established the fact that this irreversibility is caused by ligand release from the AFP molecule. Interestingly, the ligand-free form of AFP has no rigid tertiary structure but exhibits substantial secondary structure and high compactness. This means that the rigid tertiary structure of AFP is controlled by interaction with ligands, while their release results in transition of a protein molecule into a molten globule-like intermediate. In contrast, processes of HSA denaturation and unfolding are completely reversible. Release of ligands from HSA results only in a small decrease in stability but not transformation into the molten globule state.     

Detection of pulmonary tuberculosis among the homeless at Moscow reception-distribution facilities

A total of 5532 homeless persons were examined. The affection with pulmonary tuberculosis was 10.9%. The disease was first detected in 2.53% of the examinees. Relatively curable types of pulmonary tuberculosis were encountered in 70.2% of patients. A system of social and antituberculous measures should be set up for this population group.     

Self-organizing nanoheterostructures in InGaAsP solid solutions

This paper discusses the photoluminescence and x-ray microstructural properties of epitaxial layers of solid solutions of InGaAsP isoperiodic with InP (100) and GaAs (100) substrates, obtained in the region of immiscibility and spinodal decay. It shows that there is good agreement of the experimental results with the theoretical model of spinodal decay. The boundaries of the region in which two solid phases of different composition exist in epitaxial layers of solid solutions of InGaAsP isoperiodic with the InP and GaAs substrates are determined. A periodic nanoheterostructure is obtained in an epitaxial layer of InGaAsP solid solutions with a repetition period of 650±30 Å in two mutually perpendicular directions.